Vanilla Peach Coffee Cake
A Sweet Twist on a Classic: Baking Vanilla Peach Coffee Cake (Inspired by Gone with a Handsomer Man)
If there is one thing better than diving into a good new novel, it’s when that novel features a main character who loves to cook just as much as I do!
Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of reading Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West. It is her newest novel, and I must say, it is absolutely wonderful! If you are a fan of Southern charm, quirky mysteries, and mouth-watering food descriptions, this book needs to be at the top of your reading list.
The story follows the delightful Teeny Templeton, a main character whose passion for baking jumps right off the page. As a fellow baker, I was completely charmed by her adventures—but I was even more captivated by the food.
The Recipe That Stole the Show: Vanilla Peach Coffee Cake
When I saw Teeny’s recipe for Vanilla Peach Coffee Cake tucked inside the book, I knew instantly that I had to head straight to the kitchen to try it. The combination of sweet peaches, rich vanilla, and a buttery batter sounded way too good to pass up.
Because the best baking adventures usually involve a little bit of improvisation, I ended up putting my own unique spin on Teeny’s creation.
My Kitchen Tweaks & Upgrades
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Making Do with What’s on Hand: I made some slight ingredient adjustments based on what was currently stocked in my pantry. Baking is all about flexibility, and this recipe handles variations beautifully!
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The Grand Finale: While the original cake is incredible on its own, I decided it needed a little extra love. I whipped up a homemade vanilla icing to drizzle right on top while the cake was still warm. The extra glaze pooled into the pecan streusel and took the entire dessert to the next level.
Baker’s Tip: Adding a simple vanilla drizzle not only adds a punch of flavor, but it also locks in the moisture, keeping your coffee cake fresh and tender for days.
Vanilla Peach Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Batter:
- 2 eggs
- 1 C half & half or milk
- 1/2 C oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 C vanilla yogurt or sour cream
- 3 C flour
- 1 C sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Topping:
- 16 ounces frozen peaches thawed and diced
- 2 Tbsp. butter melted
- 1 C brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 3 Tbsp. flour
Vanilla Icing:
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3/4 C powdered sugar
- 2-3 tsp. half & half or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9-Inch Springform Pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Beat eggs for about two minutes.
- Add half & half, oil, vanilla and yogurt; mix for another minute.
- Add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Mix until incorporated.
- Pour into prepared pan and set aside.
- Place diced peaches into a bowl and stir in the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
- Spoon topping evenly over batter.
- Bake in preheated oven for 55-60 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool for five minutes then remove from pan.
- While the cake is cooling, melt butter in microwave then add vanilla.
- Slowly stir in powdered sugar (it will be crumbly, but don’t worry!).
- Add half & half, one teaspoon at a time, until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Drizzle vanilla icing on top of cooled cake.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Why You Need to Read (and Bake) This Book
Gone with a Handsomer Man delivers the perfect blend of cozy storytelling and culinary inspiration. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up under a blanket with a warm slice of cake and a hot cup of coffee.
The recipe is perfect for a weekend brunch, a book club gathering, or just a quiet morning treat.
What Are Your Favorite Book-Inspired Recipes?
Have you read any of Michael Lee West’s books yet? And more importantly, do you ever find yourself running to the kitchen after reading about a delicious meal in a novel?
Let me know in the comments below if you want the full breakdown of my adapted recipe and the vanilla drizzle!
Step by step photo instructions:
with non-stick cooking spray.
wow just found this recipe and am so amazed you do not have one negative person trying to change the recipe this says alot about your site.
Found this recipe through Gooseberry Patch's Recipe Roundup today. This looks so good, pinned! Have a wonderful day! -Kelly @ Semi Homemade Mom
hey! Just stopping by to let you know I featured this on my blog : )
Oh my goodness! That looks incredible!
Looks so delicious! I can't wait to read Michael's book! Thank you for sharing with us at Inspiration Friday!
Heather
This looks wonderful. I won a copy of Gone With A Handsomer Man from Michael too – I can't wait to read it! I love peaches, so I'm definitely going to have to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing it with Let's Do Brunch – Hope to see you there again this week – the linky is up now!
That looks so yummy! I have some peaches that have been sitting in my freezer forever…I may just have to bust 'em out!
i am a peach person and i cannot wait to make this! looks peachy keen! ha, i'll stop now. thanks so much for sharing, love you and your blog 🙂
-meg
@ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com
Wow, what an incredible cake. I bet peach lovers go crazy for this!
Oh I am so glad to see you back at Made it on Monday!
This looks amazing!
This cake looks absolutely delicious. I might have to give it a try 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
Great pics! I came over from the sweets link up, but most of all I love your blog name, ha ha!!
That vanilla icing was a great addition, looks wonderful. Thanks for linking this up to Fat Camp Fridays this week! See you next week!
That looks so delicious. I must try this!
Wow, that looks awesome! Peaches are always a big hit in our house. Thanks for sharing at my first Treat Day Wednesday!
That looks so yummy, I wonder how that would work with pears!
Just when I thought I've had every flavor of coffee cake ever made, here comes a new one! This looks fabulous!
oh my goodness… this looks delectable!!
Mmmmm, this sounds and looks delightful.
I'd love for you to share this recipe on my weekly link-up, Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you there. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/05/05/homemade-coffee-creamer/
You did a great job with the coffee cake. I need to get back to ready my copy of Michael's book. I'm glad you reminded me about it.
🙂
ButterYum
It looks delicious! I am waiting till we have fresh peaches availble to make it.
I loved the book too, finished it the day it arrived from ML. Looking forward to the sequel.
I am new to your blog, and your newest follower.
I am off to pike around some more!
Have a great weekend!
This sounds and looks delicious. x
Wow does that look great. Wonderful pictures.
Hello, I am a new follower. I would love it if you would visit my blog and follow me back at Valerie @ My-2-Cents
Thank you
Have a blessed week!
Mmmm that looks delicious!! I can't wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing the recipe! I'm your newest follower 🙂
Not fair…I haven't had dinner yet. That looks amazing and yummy. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.
That looks AMAZING. I love fruity coffee cakes -this is immediately going on my must try list! (And I have nectarines in my freezer from my summer stockpiling – SCORE!)
Oh, wow! This looks absolutely delish!! Thank you so much for sharing!
WOW! that looks amazing!
this looks and sounds amazing! Awesome job.
Oh my, this looks lovely! And I have everything on hand. I know what dessert is going to be tonight! Thank you for sharing!
Mmmm… this sounds so delicious!!!
okay, this looks absolutely delicious. I can almost taste it!
Mmmm, that looks SO good! I want to try it out!
Rachel @ Maybe Matilda
Oh my! What a perfect cake to make for spring and summer entertaining!
Thanks for sharing with So Sweet Sundays! 🙂
Oh MAN! this looks DELECTABLE! Found you on MIYMM!
Vanilla and peaches—-what can beat that. If you should remember on Wednesday, would you link this to Let's Do Brunch. I know I would love this in the late morning.
I love coffee cakes and this one looks scrumptious!
This looks fabulous! I love your step-by-step photo tutorial! I am such a visual person. I came from the Remodelaholic Recipe swap & I am your newest follower!
Please visit me:
junquenmytrunk.blogspot.com
yum, yum, YUMS! Thanks for sharing – it looks do delicious!
oh my gosh i think i might go and make this right now!! yum!!
This look delicious! I know I would love it! I'll have to try it out!
Positively drool-worthy! I LOVE the name of your blog 🙂
Lisa, Teeny, Coop, and Red Butler will be at your house any second for cake and coffee. This is such a great step-by-step–and I LOVE the addition of the drizzled icing. Thank you so much for baking Teeny's favorite recipe! XX00
Oh yummy! That coffee cake looks like a perfect Sunday breakfast.